Oneida Nation Float to roll in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

NEW YORK -- For the fifth straight year, the Oneida Nation-sponsored float, "The True Spirit of Thanksgiving," will roll through the streets of New York City Thursday in the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Representatives of more than one dozen Indian nations from across the country plan to accompany the float as it spreads a message of peace and thanksgiving.

The diverse group makes up a choir joining Grammy-winning Native American artist Thirza Defoe singing "The Tree of Life." The song celebrates the gathering together of many voices in the name of peace, love and thanksgiving.

The float represents the Oneida Nation's story of creation, featuring a 30-foot White Pine "Tree of Peace" growing from the back of Turtle Island, symbolizing Mother Earth. The four roots are outstretched to the four directions so that all peoples may find their way to the great peace and be sheltered beneath its branches. On top of the Great Tree an eagle keeps watch.

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The parade airs nationally on NBC-TV from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones. "The True Spirit of Thanksgiving" float is scheduled to reach the TV cameras around 10:30 a.m.